well the 2009 Royal International Air Tattoo has now taken place, and following last year's cancellation, a cracking display was on for show for all visitors, and also some sun too!

Monday, 20 July 2009

What a Show!

Well, I'm back now from the Royal International Air Tattoo, and I'm pleased to say that the weather held fine for the display on Saturday, despite there being some heavy looking clouds around, the sun managed to poke it's face through on many occasions, and thanks to this and the ind, resulted in a very sunburnt face!

Not that I'm complaining though, as it all allowed the Vulcan to make it's dramatic take off and display sequence - the first time I've seen it take off since 1992, so only 17 years to wait for that - hopefully I won't have to wait quite a long for the next time to see it take off.

Just in case you haven't got a clue what I'm on about, here it is taking off, listen for the howl as soon as the Vulcan begins to make its burst down the runway.

We arrived at just past 7am, and got in for 7.30, straight over to the fence to book our place for the day, quickly followed by a cuppa, even if it did cost £1.70 for it!

The display got underway at 10am, with the F18 Hornet rampaging through the skies, and that pretty much set the pattern for the day, with some excellent displays from the Rafael - making it's debut at RIAT '09, the Gripens, the huge B52, and of course the Red Arrows.

The only thing missing for me was a B1 bomber in the flying display, otherwise I would have said that this was the best RIAT for some time.

The Royal Navy sequence was pretty cool too, with planes from yesteryear appearing alongside the Harriers, and many many helicopters taking a leading role too, all hovering above the runway on their landing - now that was pretty special to see.

So, all in all a great RIAT in 2009, and my day made complete thanks to the return of the Vulcan - and that howl - hopefully it will be back in 2010, alongside a flying B1 bomber!